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N-F2 vs N-K5

Glass · grade comparison

N-F2 and N-K5 are both glass grades. N-F2 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) against 40 MPa (5.8 ksi) for N-K5, about 13% more. N-K5 is harder — 520 HV against 450 HV for N-F2 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. N-K5 is stiffer (71 GPa vs 57 GPa) and N-K5 conducts heat better (1.1 W/m·K vs 0.78 W/m·K). On the shop floor, N-K5 machines more easily (fair vs poor).

N-F2Choose it when strength drives the design.

N-K5Choose it when surface hardness matters, or when the part is machined in volume.

N-F2 vs N-K5: properties

N-F2N-K5

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

57 GPa8.3 Msi
71 GPa10.3 Msi

Shear Modulus

23.4 GPa3.4 Msi
29 GPa4.2 Msi

Bulk Modulus

34 GPa4.9 Msi
43 GPa6.2 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.22
0.22

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

45 MPa6.5 ksi
40 MPa5.8 ksi

Elongation at Break

0%
—

Compressive Strength

800 MPa116 ksi
900 MPa131 ksi

Flexural Strength

60 MPa8.7 ksi
65 MPa9.4 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

0.6 MPa·√m0.55 ksi·√in
0.8 MPa·√m0.73 ksi·√in

Hardness, Vickers

450 HV
520 HV

Hardness, Knoop

420 HK
530 HK

Hardness, Mohs

5.5
6

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

2.65 g/cm³0.1 lb/in³
2.59 g/cm³0.09 lb/in³

Refractive Index

1.62
1.523

Light Transmission

89%
92%

Same in both: Porosity 0%

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

0.78 W/m·K0.45 BTU/hr·ft·°F
1.1 W/m·K0.62 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

670 J/kg·K0.16 BTU/lb·°F
783 J/kg·K0.19 BTU/lb·°F

Min Service Temperature

-200°C-328 °F
-60°C-76 °F

Same in both: Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 8.2 µm/m·K4.6 µin/in·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 400°C752 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

1×10¹¹ Ω·m3.94×10¹⁸ µΩ·in
1×10¹² Ω·m3.94×10¹⁹ µΩ·in

Volume Resistivity

1×10¹³ Ω·cm
1×10¹⁴ Ω·cm

Dielectric Strength

—
12 kV/mm305 V/mil

Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)

—
7

Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)

—
0.008

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

78 / 100
70 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

22 / 100
35 / 100

Polishability

90 / 100
88 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

45 MJ/kg19,347 BTU/lb
42 MJ/kg18,057 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

2.9 kg CO₂/kg
2.6 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

120 L/kg14.4 gal/lb
25 L/kg3 gal/lb

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 5%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

17 kN·m/kg
15 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

21.5 MN·m/kg
27.4 MN·m/kg

Thermal Diffusivity

0.4 mm²/s
0.5 mm²/s

Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 0

Strength versus weight

Yield strength against density for every glass grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.

501002005002.533.5Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scale

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityN-F2N-K5
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

N-F2 vs N-K5 — frequently asked

Is N-F2 stronger than N-K5?

Yes. N-F2 has a typical tensile strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) against 40 MPa (5.8 ksi) for N-K5 — about 13% more.

Which is cheaper, N-F2 or N-K5?

Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.

Which is easier to machine, N-F2 or N-K5?

N-K5. Its machinability rates fair (35/100) against poor (22/100) for N-F2.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in N-F2 and N-K5 side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.

Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.